Four Incoming CALS Students Named Park Scholars

The Park Scholarships program at North Carolina State University has named 42 students to its Class of 2026, including four incoming College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students.

The 2026 class of Park Scholars was selected from a pool of 2,260 applicants from three countries, 40 states, and 97 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Park Scholars have demonstrated outstanding achievements and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character. 

Learn more about each of the four Park Scholars from CALS:

Sydney Loflin

Loflin is from Denton, North Carolina. Loflin will graduate from HOPE Academy where she serves as the High Rock FFA Chapter President, Cedar Springs 4-H Club President and the North Carolina representative on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Leadership Council. She placed second in the National Conservation Foundation International Envirothon Competition, was inducted into the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club, and currently serves as the chair of the Alicia Greer Memorial Scholarship Committee. Loflin plans to major in agricultural education.

Eli Roberts 

Roberts is from Shelby, North Carolina. He will graduate from Crest High School where he is president of the National Honor Society, captain of the swim team and a student leader of the National League of Junior Cotillion. He was selected as the Crest High School Heisman Academic Athlete winner and named a College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Academic Excellence Program Scholar. He has worked at Boulevard Animal Hospital for almost two years. Roberts plans to major in animal science with a pre-veterinary focus.

Caden Robinette

Robinette is from Pinetops, North Carolina. He will graduate from North East Carolina Prep School where he is president of the Future Farmers of America. He has served on the worship team at FaithHouse Church and has the distinct honor of being a Borlaug Scholar. Robinette plans to major in food science.

Karla S. Velasquez-Contreras

Velasquez-Contreras is from Concord, North Carolina. She will graduate from Jay M. Robinson High School where she is the president of the Spanish National Honor Society, co-president of the Multicultural Club, and is Cadet Deputy Group Commander in her school’s Air Force JROTC program. She was a volunteer soccer coach for multiple summers, was awarded the National Air Force Association Award, and helped start the Kitty Hawk Honor Society during her time in Air Force JROTC. Velasquez-Contreras plans to major in horticulture science.

More about Park Scholarships

The Park Scholarships program brings exceptional students to NC State University based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The program develops and supports Park Scholars in these areas, preparing them for lifelong contributions to the campus, state, nation, and world. The Park Scholarships program provides a four-year scholarship valued at approximately $116,000 for in-state students and approximately $208,000 for out-of-state students.